System and method for capturing dimensions from a graphic file of an object

ABSTRACT

A system and method for capturing dimensions of an object from a graphic file of the object. The system includes a graphic file management center ( 3100 ), a graphic file processing center ( 3200 ), and a dimension management center ( 3300 ). The graphic file management center is used for obtaining the graphic file, and includes a graphic file receiving module ( 3110 ), a graphic file classifying module ( 3120 ) and a graphic file updating module ( 3130 ). The graphic file processing center includes a data collecting module ( 3210 ) for capturing dimensions from the obtained graphic file, and a data outputting module ( 3220 ) for outputting the captured dimensions. The dimension management center ( 3300 ) is used for storing and maintaining the captured dimensions, and comprises a dimension receiving module ( 3310 ), a dimension checking module ( 3320 ), and a dimension storing module ( 3330 ). A method for capturing dimensions of an object from a graphic file thereof is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for analyzing andprocessing data on an object, and especially to a system and method forcapturing dimensions from a graphic file of an object.

2. Background of the Invention

In recent years, reverse engineering has been applied in a wide range ofindustrial design and manufacturing fields. Reverse engineering ismainly used for obtaining geometrical data on an object by analyzing andprocessing point cloud data on the object. Then a user can manufacturethe object according to the geometrical data.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,648 discloses an apparatus and method for creatingthree-dimensional modeling data on an object. Referring to FIG. 24, theapparatus comprises a material removal means 2401, a data requisitionmeans 2403 and an object shuttle 2405. When the object shuttle 2405transmits the object (not shown) to a first location 2407, the materialremoval means 2401 cuts the object to provide an exposed surfacethereof. Then the object shuttle 2405 transmits the object to a secondlocation 2409. The data requisition means 2403 acquires data on theexposed surface. Subsequently, the object is transmitted back to thefirst location 2407 and back to the second location 2409 repeatedly, forsuccessive cycles of cutting the object and acquiring data. After eachexposed surface is provided, geometrical data on it is obtained,processed and recorded. By combining the geometrical data on eachexposed surface, a three-dimensional electronic domain representation ofthe object is yielded.

However, the user sometimes wants to know the difference between thegeometry of the manufactured object and the theoretical geometry of theobject. Computer aided verification (CAV) can provide such information.CAV can compare a point cloud model of the object with a design modelthereof, and mark difference ranges in different colors. CAV can let theuser know where and how the manufactured object is different from thedesign model.

Even though CAV can indicate difference ranges between the manufacturedobject and the design model, the user sometimes needs to know exactdifferences. This is because the user may want to improve the quality ofthe manufactured object by changing production criteria and procedures.Current technology does not enable the user to obtain design dimensionsof an object from a graphic file thereof directly for juxtaposing thedesign dimensions with measurements of the object for precisecomparison.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general object of the present invention is to provide a system foranalyzing and processing data on an object, wherein design dimensions ofthe object can be captured from a graphic file of the object.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method foranalyzing and processing data on an object, wherein design dimensions ofthe object can be captured from a graphic file of the object.

In order to accomplish the above-mentioned objects, the presentinvention provides a system and method for capturing dimensions of anobject from a graphic file of the object. A preferred embodiment of thesystem comprises a graphic file management center, a graphic fileprocessing center, and a dimension management center. The graphic filemanagement center is used for obtaining the graphic file of the object,and includes a graphic file receiving module, a graphic file classifyingmodule and a graphic file updating module. The graphic file processingcenter comprises a data collecting module for capturing dimensions fromthe obtained graphic file, and a data outputting module for outputtingthe captured dimensions. The dimension management center is used forstoring and maintaining the captured dimensions, and comprises adimension receiving module, a dimension checking module and a dimensionstoring module.

A preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention comprisesthe steps of: (i) retrieving a graphic file of the object; (ii)determining whether the graphic file meets a predetermined demand; (iii)capturing dimensions from the graphic file, if the graphic file meetsthe predetermined demand; (iv) checking the captured dimensions; and (v)storing the captured dimensions.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill be drawn from the following detailed description of preferredembodiments of the present invention with the attached drawings, inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of infrastructure of a system foranalyzing and processing measurement data automatically, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of details of sub-modules of an objectmeasuring module of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of infrastructure of a dimension capturingsubsystem of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of details of modules of a reportgenerating subsystem of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of details of modules of a measurementdata outputting subsystem of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of analyzing and processing data on an object inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of obtaining dimensions of an object inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of gathering information when a graphic fileprocessing center obtains design dimensions from a computer aided design(CAD) drawing, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of retrieving attributes of figure units in theCAD drawing when the graphic file processing center obtains designdimensions from the CAD drawing, in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of determining a relationship of figure numbersand design dimensions when the graphic file processing center obtainsdesign dimensions from the CAD drawing, in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of details of one of the steps of FIG. 10,namely calculating unit locations and outputting figure numbers;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of details of another of the steps of FIG. 10,namely assigning default tolerances and outputting design dimensions;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of details of still another of the steps of FIG.10, namely calculating minimum distances between each figure number andany design dimension;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of outputting data when the graphic fileprocessing center obtains design dimensions from the CAD drawing, inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of generating a report on an object, inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of outputting measurement data on an object to agraphic file of the object, in accordance with the preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of details of one of the steps of FIG. 16,namely obtaining relevant data;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of details of another of the steps of FIG. 16,namely executing one or more process programs for outputting measurementdata to a preliminary CAD drawing;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of details of one of the steps of FIG. 18,namely invoking various process programs according to a user's demandsregarding a manner in which measurement data is to be output;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of details of another of the steps of FIG. 18,namely changing non-text format measurement data into text formatmeasurement data that is in accordance with a format of a CAD drawing;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of details of still another of the steps of FIG.18, namely retrieving attributes of figure units in the CAD drawing;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of details of yet another of the steps of FIG.18, namely determining measurement data to be output;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of details of still yet another of the steps ofFIG. 18, namely outputting measurement data to the CAD drawing; and

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of infrastructure of a conventionalapparatus for creating three-dimensional modeling data on an object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Several items described hereinafter are defined as follows:

‘Figure unit’ means an object forming a figure, such as a line, a circleor an angle, or a labeled design dimension of an object.

‘Figure number’ means a serial number of a figure unit that represents alabeled design dimension of an object.

‘Unit location’ means a general location of a figure number in a figure.

‘Design dimension’ means a number labeled beside a figure unit forrepresenting design geometry of the figure unit, or for representing alocational relationship of figure units relative to each other.

‘Unit calculating area’ means an area in which figure units are takeninto account for calculation. A unit calculating area can be defined byclicking a first corner and another corner in a computer graphic file.

‘Data on an object’ comprise measurement data on an object and designdimensions of the object.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of infrastructure of a system foranalyzing and processing data on an object automatically, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system foranalyzing and processing data can support the method of the disclosedsubject matter. The system for analyzing and processing measurement datacomprises an automatic scanning and measuring subsystem 100, a graphicfile receiving apparatus 150, a dimension capturing subsystem 160, areport generating subsystem 170, and a measurement data outputtingsubsystem 180.

The automatic scanning and measuring subsystem 100 comprises a pointcloud receiving module 110, a file changing module 120, an objectassessing module 130, and an object measuring module 140. The pointcloud receiving module 110 is used for receiving point cloud data on anobject from a scanner. The file changing module 120 is used forconverting the point cloud data into files that can be identified andprocessed by a computer. For example, the file changing module 120 canchange Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) format point clouddata into text format files that can be processed by the computer. Theobject assessing module 130 is used to ascertain whether there areprograms available for measuring the object. The object measuring module140 is used for obtaining measurement data on the object, if the objectassessing module 130 determines there are programs available formeasuring the object. The programs process the text format files toobtain the measurement data. The object measuring module 140 comprises aprogram storing sub-module 141, and an executing sub-module 142.

The graphic file receiving apparatus 150 is used for receiving graphicfiles of objects provided by users. In the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, each graphic file is a computer aided design (CAD)drawing. The dimension capturing subsystem 160 is used for obtainingdesign dimensions of figure units in the graphic file received by thegraphic file receiving apparatus 150. The report generating subsystem170 can create different forms of reports according to requests made byusers. Such reports include the measurement data obtained by the objectmeasuring module 140, and the design dimensions obtained by thedimension capturing subsystem 160. The measurement data outputtingsubsystem 180 is used to output the measurement data obtained by theobject measuring module 140 to the graphic file received by the graphicfile receiving apparatus 150.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of details of sub-modules of the objectmeasuring module 140. The object measuring module 140 comprises aprogram storing sub-module 141, and an executing sub-module 142. Theprogram storing sub-module 141 comprises a geometry calculating program210, a mending program 220, and a unit calculating program 230. Theexecuting sub-module 142 comprises an executing program 240, and anoutputting program 250. The executing program 240 is used for invokingprograms in the program storing sub-module 141, and for executing theprograms to generate measurement data on the object. The outputtingprogram 250 is used for transmitting the generated measurement data tothe report generating subsystem 170 and to the measurement dataoutputting subsystem 180.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of infrastructure of the dimensioncapturing subsystem 160. The dimension capturing subsystem 160 comprisesa graphic file management center 3100, a graphic file processing center3200, and a dimension management center 3300. The graphic filemanagement center 3100 includes a graphic file receiving module 3110, agraphic file classifying module 3120, and a graphic file updating module3130. The graphic file receiving module 3110 is used for obtaining agraphic file from the graphic file receiving apparatus 150. The graphicfile classifying module 3120 is used for classifying the obtainedgraphic file according to different companies or different drawingtools. The graphic file updating module 3130 is used for determiningwhether the obtained graphic file meets a user's demands, especially theuser's version demand. The version is regulated according to points intime at which the obtained graphic file is drawn and modified.

The graphic file processing center 3200 is the core of the dimensioncapturing subsystem 160, and comprises a data collecting module 3210 anda data outputting module 3220. The data collecting module 3210 comprisesan information receiving sub-module 3211, an attribute obtainingsub-module 3212, a dimension obtaining sub-module 3213, and a dimensionoutputting sub-module 3214.

The information receiving sub-module 3211 is used to receive informationinput by the user. The input information comprises a first piece ofinformation input from a user interface, and a second piece ofinformation input from the graphic file. The first piece of informationcomprises dimension tolerance, unit location, dimension unit, andstoring path. The dimension tolerance can be assigned to any measurementdata obtained by the dimension capturing subsystem 160. The dimensionunit shows which system of measurement is employed: metric or imperial.The second piece of information comprises figure number, designdimension, unit calculating area, and scale.

The attribute obtaining sub-module 3212 is used to select from thegraphic file those figure units whose attributes are in accordance witha pre-requested attribute, and to output the attributes of the selectedfigure units to an attribute sheet in a Microsoft Excel electronic book.In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-requestedattribute is that any classification attribute is digital.

The dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 is used to determine designdimensions which are respectively closest to figure numbers in thegraphic file, and to output the design dimensions and correspondingfigure numbers to a design dimension sheet in the Excel book.

The dimension outputting sub-module 3214 is used to process the designdimensions obtained by the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213. Thedimension outputting sub-module 3214 comprises an information collectingprogram, a format changing program, an information filtering program,and an information storing program. The information collecting programis used to combine the tolerances, figure numbers and design dimensionsinto one sheet in the Excel book. The format changing program is used toconvert CAD format dimensions into text format dimensions. Theinformation filtering program is used to delete information that is notneeded, such as figure numbers and design dimensions in a buffer.

The data outputting module 3220 is used to output the dimensionsobtained by the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 to the dimensionmanagement center 3300. The data outputting module 3220 comprises astoring format selection sub-module 3221, and a data outputtingsub-module 3222. The storing format selection sub-module 3221 is used todetermine a particular format in which the obtained dimensions are to bestored. Predetermined formats are stored in a format database (notshown). The data outputting sub-module 3222 is used to outputmeasurements generated by the dimension outputting sub-module 3214 tothe dimension management center 3300.

The dimension management center 3300 comprises a dimension receivingmodule 3310, a dimension checking module 3320, and a dimension storingmodule 3330. The dimension receiving module 3310 is used to receive thedesign dimensions from the graphic file processing center 3200. Thedimension checking module 3320 is used to check whether the designdimensions are valid. The dimension storing module 3330 is used to storethe design dimensions in the format determined by the storing formatselection sub-module 3221.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of details of modules of the reportgenerating subsystem 170. The report generating subsystem 170 comprisesa form management module 410, a report processing module 420, and acolumn management module 430. The form management module 410 comprises aform receiving sub-module 411, and a form classifying sub-module 412.The form receiving sub-module 411 is used for receiving report templatesprovided by users, and for receiving data used for generating reports.Such data comprise the measurement data generated by the automaticscanning and measuring subsystem 100, and the design dimensions obtainedby the dimension capturing subsystem 160. The form classifyingsub-module 412 is used for classifying the report templates. Forexample, the report templates may be classified according to differentcompanies.

The report processing module 420 comprises a column setting sub-module421, and a report generating sub-module 422. The column settingsub-module 421 is used to set columns for a report to be generated. Thecolumns comprise figure number, design dimension, tolerance, andmeasurement. The report generating sub-module 422 is used to generate areport according to the template thereof.

The column management module 430 is used for storing columns set by thecolumn setting sub-module 421. When generating a report, the reportgenerating sub-module 422 can invoke columns in the column managementmodule 430.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of details of modules of the measurementdata outputting subsystem 180. The measurement data outputting subsystem180 comprises a data obtaining module 510, a data processing module 520,and a graphic file management module 530. The data obtaining module 510comprises a format changing sub-module 511, and a graphic fileprocessing sub-module 512. The format changing sub-module 511 is usedfor outputting the measurement data generated by the automatic scanningand measuring subsystem 100 to the Excel book. The graphic fileprocessing sub-module 512 is used for opening a graphic file to havemeasurement data input therein.

The data processing module 520 is used to output the measurement data tothe graphic file. The data processing module 520 comprises aninformation gathering sub-module 521, a program invoking sub-module 522,a port capturing sub-module 523, an attribute changing sub-module 524,an attribute retrieving sub-module 525, an analyzing and calculatingsub-module 526, and a dimension data outputting sub-module 527. Theinformation gathering sub-module 521 is used for collecting data inputby a user, which data can assist outputting of the measurement data tothe graphic file. The input data include figure number column, designdimension column, tolerance column, manner in which the measurement datais output, color and font of measurement data, and color of anymeasurement that exceeds a design tolerance of a corresponding figureunit. The program invoking sub-module 522 is used for invoking variousprocess programs. Such process programs are invoked according to theinput data collected by the information gathering sub-module 521regarding the manner in which the measurement data is output. The portcapturing sub-module 523 is used for obtaining a port connecting themeasurement data and the graphic file. The attribute changing sub-module524 is used for changing any non-text format measurement data into textformat measurement data. The attribute retrieving sub-module 525 is usedto retrieve attributes of figure units in the graphic file. Theanalyzing and calculating sub-module 526 is used to connect themeasurement data in the Excel book with the retrieved attributes, andthereby determine which measurement data should be output. The dimensiondata outputting sub-module 527 is used for outputting the determinedmeasurement data to the graphic file.

The graphic file management module 530 comprises a graphic filereceiving sub-module 531, a graphic file classifying sub-module 532, anda graphic file storing sub-module 533. The graphic file receivingsub-module 531 is used for receiving graphic files that have hadmeasurement data input therein. The graphic file classifying sub-module532 is used to classify the graphic files that have had measurement datainput therein. For example, such classification may be according todifferent companies. The graphic file storing sub-module 533 is used tostore the graphic files that have had measurement data input therein.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of analyzing and processing measurement data onan object in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Firstly, in step S601, the point cloud receiving module 110receives point cloud data on the object. In step S603, the file changingmodule 120 changes the point cloud data into formats that can beprocessed by the computer. Generally, the point cloud data are inInitial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) format. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, the file changing module 120changes the IGES format point cloud data into text format data. In stepS605, the object assessing module 130 ascertains whether the object hasbeen scanned, according to the text format data. If the object has beenscanned, then the object assessing module 130 shows whether there aremeasuring programs available for measuring the object in the programstoring sub-module 141. If there are measuring programs available, thenin step S607 the executing program 240 invokes the measuring programs tomeasure the object. In step S611, the executing program 240 generatesmeasurement data on the object. If the object has not been scanned, thenin step S609 the object assessing module 130 advises the user to designmeasuring programs for the object. After the measuring programs aredesigned and written, in step S607 the executing program 240 invokesthem to measure the object.

The measurement data generated at step S611 are stored in a format whichcan be identified by the computer. In the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the measurement data are stored in a measurementsheet in the Excel book. The stored measurement data can be used by thereport generating subsystem 170 for generating a dimension report on theobject. The stored measurement data can also be used by the measurementdata outputting subsystem 180 for outputting to a graphic file of theobject.

In step S613, the graphic file receiving apparatus 150 receives agraphic file of the object. In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the graphic file of the object is a CAD drawing. The graphicfile is transmitted to the graphic file management center 3100 and tothe data obtaining module 510. The graphic file can be processed by thedimension capturing subsystem 160. Thus, in step S615, design dimensionsof the object are obtained. Also, in step S617, measurement data on theobject is output to the graphic file by the measurement data outputtingsubsystem 180. In step S619, a dimension report on the object isgenerated by combining the design dimensions of the object obtained atstep S615 and the measurement data on the object obtained at step S611.Finally, in step S621, the dimension report and the graphic file thathas had measurement data input therein are stored.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of obtaining design dimensions of an object inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.Firstly, in step S701, the graphic file receiving module 3110 receives aCAD drawing of the object from the graphic file receiving apparatus 150.In step S703, the graphic updating module 3130 determines whether theCAD drawing of the object meets the user's version demand. If the CADdrawing does not meet the user's version demand, then in step S705 thegraphic file updating module 3130 advises the user to modify the CADdrawing. If the CAD drawing meets the user's version demand, then instep S707 the graphic file processing center 3200 processes the CADdrawing to obtain the design dimensions of the object.

The design dimensions of the object are received by the dimensionreceiving module 3310. In step S709, the design dimensions are checkedby the dimension checking module 3320. In step S711, the dimensionchecking module 3320 determines whether the design dimensions areerror-free. If the design dimensions have any errors, then in step S712the dimension checking module 3320 advises the user to correct theerror(s). If and when the design dimensions are error-free, then in stepS713 the design dimensions are stored by the dimension storing module3330.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of gathering information when the graphic fileprocessing center 3200 obtains design dimensions from a CAD drawing, inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Instep S801, relevant information is gathered. This is performed mainly bythe information receiving sub-module 3211. The relevant informationincludes the first piece of information comprising dimension tolerance,unit location, dimension unit and storing path; and the second piece ofinformation comprising figure number, design dimension, unit calculatingarea and scale. In step S803, the information receiving sub-module 3211determines whether all the gathered information is valid. If any of thegathered information is invalid, then in step S805 the informationreceiving sub-module 3211 advises the user to re-input the information.If and when all the gathered information is valid, then in step S807 theinformation receiving sub-module 3211 stores the gathered information.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of retrieving attributes of figure units in a CADdrawing when the graphic file processing center 3200 obtains designdimensions from the CAD drawing, in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention. In step S901, the attributeobtaining sub-module 3212 retrieves a figure unit in a unit calculatingarea input by the user. In step S903, the attribute obtaining sub-module3212 determines whether the attributes of the figure unit are validinsofar as they are in accordance with a pre-requested attribute. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-requestedattribute is that any classification attribute is digital. Figure unitswhose classification attributes are digital are figure numbers anddesign dimensions. If the classification attributes of the figure unitare not digital, then the attribute obtaining sub-module 3212 goes backto step S901 to retrieve another figure unit in the unit calculatingarea. If the classification attributes of the figure unit are digital,then in step S905 the attribute obtaining sub-module 3212 outputsrelevant attributes of the figure unit to the attribute sheet of theExcel book. The relevant attributes comprise X-axis and Y-axiscoordinate values of the figure unit. In step S907, the attributeobtaining sub-module 3212 checks whether there is another figure unit inthe unit calculating area. If there is another figure unit, then theattribute obtaining sub-module 3212 retrieves attributes of that figureunit according to step S901 and the foregoing applicable steps. If andwhen there is no other figure unit, the procedure is completed.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of determining a relationship of figure numbersand design dimensions when the graphic file processing center 3200obtains design dimensions from a CAD drawing, in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. In step S1001, thedimension obtaining sub-module 3213 calculates unit locations of figureunits in a unit calculating area, to determine whether the figurenumbers are in a predetermined figure area. The dimension obtainingsub-module 3213 outputs any figure numbers that are in the predeterminedfigure area to a figure number sheet in the Excel book. In step S1003,the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 checks whether all designdimensions have tolerances, assigns a default tolerance to those designdimensions having no tolerance, and outputs the design dimensions to atolerance sheet in the Excel book. The default tolerance is input by theuser beforehand, and is obtained by the information receiving sub-module3211. In step S1005, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 retrievesthe attributes of figure numbers and design dimensions. The attributescomprise X-axis and Y-axis coordinate values of the figure numbers, andX-axis and Y-axis coordinate values of the design dimensions. In stepS1007, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 calculates the minimumdistances between each figure number and any design dimension. In stepS1009, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 outputs each minimumdistance and related figure number and design dimension to a minimumdistance sheet in the Excel book.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of details of step S1001 of FIG. 10, namelycalculating unit locations and outputting figure numbers. In step S1101,the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 retrieves the predeterminedfigure area input by the user. In step S1103, the dimension obtainingsub-module 3213 calculates a coordinate range of the figure area. Instep S1105, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 generates a unitlocation logic for determining whether a figure number lies in thefigure area. In step S1107, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213retrieves a coordinate of a figure number from the attribute sheet inthe Excel book. In step S1109, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213uses the unit location logic to determine whether the figure number liesin the figure area. If the figure number does not lie in the figurearea, then the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 proceeds directly tostep S1113 described below. If the figure number lies in the figurearea, then in step S1111 the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 outputsthe figure number to the figure number sheet in the Excel book, and thenproceeds to step S1113. In step S1113, the dimension obtainingsub-module 3213 ascertains whether there is another figure number in theattribute sheet of the Excel book. If there is another figure number,then in step S1107 again, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213retrieves a coordinate of the other figure number from the attributesheet in the Excel book, and proceeds according to the applicableabove-described procedure. If and when there is no other figure number,the procedure is completed.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of details of step S1003 of FIG. 10, namelyassigning default tolerances and outputting design dimensions. Firstly,in step S1201, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 retrieves designdimensions of figure units from the attribute sheet of the Excel book.In step S1203, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 ascertainswhether all the design dimensions have tolerances. If a design dimensionhas a tolerance, then in step S1209 the dimension obtaining sub-module3213 outputs the design dimension and accompanying tolerance to thetolerance sheet in the Excel book. If a design dimension does not have atolerance, then in step S1205 the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213retrieves the default tolerance. In step S1207, the dimension obtainingsub-module 3213 assigns the default tolerance to the design dimension.Finally, in step S1209, all design dimensions are output to thetolerance sheet in the Excel book with their respective accompanyingtolerances.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of details of step S1007 of FIG. 10, namelycalculating minimum distances between each figure number and any designdimension. In step S1301, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213distributes figure units representing figure numbers, X-axis ordinatevalues thereof, and Y-axis ordinate values thereof to three buffersrespectively. The dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 also distributesfigure units representing design dimensions, X-axis ordinate valuesthereof, and Y-axis ordinate values thereof to another three buffersrespectively. In step S1303, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213calculates distances between each figure unit representing a figurenumber and other figure units representing design dimensions accordingto a formula ‘SQR((a−b)²+(d−c)²).’ In this formula, ‘a’ represents anX-axis ordinate value of a figure unit representing a figure number, ‘b’represents an X-axis ordinate value of a figure unit representing adesign dimension, ‘c’ represents a Y-axis ordinate value of a figureunit representing a design dimension, and ‘d’ represents a Y-axisordinate value of a figure unit representing a figure number. In stepS1305, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 selects the minimumdistances between each figure unit representing a figure number andother figure units representing design dimensions. In step S1307, thedimension obtaining sub-module 3213 checks whether there is more thanone minimum distance between any figure unit representing a figurenumber and other figure units representing design dimensions. If thereis more than one minimum distance between any figure unit representing afigure number and other figure units representing design dimensions,then in step S1309 the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 comparesdistances between the figure unit representing the figure number andother figure units representing design dimensions in the X-axisdirection or in the Y-axis direction. In step S1311, the dimensionobtaining sub-module 3213 selects a minimum distance from the compareddistances. After all minimum distances between figure units representinga figure number and other figure units representing design dimensionsare compared and selected, in step S1313 the dimension obtainingsub-module 3213 outputs all the minimum distances to the minimumdistance sheet in the Excel book.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of outputting data when the graphic fileprocessing center 3200 obtains design dimensions from a CAD drawing, inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Instep S1401, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 transmits data indifferent sheets to the design dimension sheet in the Excel book. Suchdifferent sheets include figure number sheets, and tolerance sheets. Instep S1403, the dimension obtaining sub-module 3213 changes data fromCAD format into Excel format. In step S1405, the dimension obtainingsub-module 3213 filters the data by deleting data that are not needed.For example, data in memory are deleted. In step S1407, the dimensionobtaining sub-module 3213 assigns a storing path of the Excel bookcomprising the design dimension sheet.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of generating a report on an object inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.Firstly, in step S1501, the report generating sub-module 422 invokes areport template provided by a user beforehand. The report template may,for example, correspond to a company which produces the object. In stepS1503, the report generating sub-module 422 ascertains whether allcolumns of the report template have been set. If all the columns havenot been set, then in step S1505 the column setting sub-module 421 setsunset columns, and stores all such set columns in the column managementmodule 430. If and when all the columns have been set, in step S1507 thereport generating sub-module 422 checks whether measurement data on theobject and design dimensions of the object exist. If either or both ofthe measurement data and the design dimensions do not exist, then instep S1509 the report generating subsystem 170 informs the useraccordingly. If both the measurement data and the design dimensionsexist, then in step S1511 the report generating sub-module 422 invokescolumns of the report in the column management module 430. Such columnsinclude the measurement data column, design dimension column, andtolerance column. In step S1513, the report generating sub-module 422fills in the columns with the measurement data and the designdimensions, thereby generating a report according to the reporttemplate. Finally, in step S1515 the generated report is stored.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of outputting measurement data on an object to agraphic file of the object, in accordance with the preferred embodimentof the present invention. Firstly, in step S1601, the data obtainingmodule 510 obtains relevant data. The relevant data include apreliminary CAD drawing, and measurement data to be output to thepreliminary CAD drawing. In step S1603, the data processing module 520executes one or more process programs for outputting the measurementdata to the preliminary CAD drawing. In step S1605, the data processingmodule 520 outputs the CAD drawing to the graphic file management module530. In step S1607, the graphic file management module 530 checks theCAD drawing. In step S1609, the graphic file management module 530determines whether the CAD drawing has errors. If the CAD drawing haserrors, then in step S1611 the graphic file management module 530advises the user to correct the errors. If and when the CAD drawing hasno errors, in step S1613 the CAD drawing is stored in the graphic filestoring sub-module 533.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of details of step S1601 of FIG. 16, namelyobtaining relevant data. After receiving the preliminary CAD drawing andthe measurement data, in step S1701 the format changing sub-module 511outputs the measurement data to the measurement sheet of the Excel book.In step S1703, the graphic file processing sub-module 512 opens thepreliminary CAD drawing. In step S1705, the graphic file processingsub-module 512 checks whether the preliminary CAD drawing meets theversion demand. If the preliminary CAD drawing does not meet the versiondemand, then in step S1707 the graphic file processing sub-module 512advises the user to change the version of the preliminary CAD drawing.If and when the preliminary CAD drawing meets the version demand, theprocedure is completed.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of details of step S1603 of FIG. 16, namelyexecuting one or more process programs for outputting the measurementdata to the preliminary CAD drawing. Firstly, in step S1801, theinformation gathering sub-module 521 obtains the measurement data fromthe measurement sheet of the Excel book and the preliminary CAD drawingfrom the data obtaining module 510, and also other information input bythe user. The other information input by the user comprises a columnrecording the measurement data, a column recording the figure numberprocess programs to be invoked, color of lead lines, color ofmeasurement data, and color of any measurement that exceeds a designtolerance. In step S1803, the program invoking sub-module 522 invokesvarious process programs according to the user's demands regarding amanner in which measurement data is to be output. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, when an object is measured, it ismeasured many times in order to improve precision of measurement. Thusmany groups of measurement data on the object are created. According tothe particular demand of the user, the measurement data outputtingsubsystem 180 can output one group of measurement data on the object tothe CAD drawing of the object, or output all groups of measurement dataon the object to the CAD drawing, or output a group of measurement datawhich is most different from design dimensions of the object to the CADdrawing. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, threeprocess programs are provided according to the foregoing threeparticular demands: a one input/one output program, a multipleinput/multiple output program, and a multiple input/worst outputprogram. The one input/one output program is used for outputting onegroup of measurement data on an object to the CAD drawing. The multipleinput/multiple output program is used for outputting more than one groupof measurement data on an object to the CAD drawing. The multipleinput/worst output program is used for outputting a group of measurementdata which is most different from design dimensions of the object to theCAD drawing. Then in step S1805 the port capturing sub-module 523obtains a communication port between the measurement data and the CADdrawing, through which the measurement data can be output to the CADdrawing. In step S1807, the attribute changing sub-module 524 changesnon-text format measurement data into text format measurement data thatis in accordance with a format of the CAD drawing. In step S1809, theattribute retrieving sub-module 525 retrieves attributes of figure unitsin the CAD drawing. In step S1811, the analyzing and calculatingsub-module 526 obtains links between data in the measurement sheet ofthe Excel book and the attributes of the figure units in the CADdrawing, and determines measurement data to be output to the CADdrawing. Finally, in step S1813, the dimension data outputtingsub-module 527 outputs the determined measurement data to the CADdrawing.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of details of step S1803 of FIG. 18, namelyinvoking various process programs according to the user's demandsregarding a manner in which measurement data is to be output. Firstly,in step S1901, the program invoking sub-module 522 determines whetherthe user wants to input one group of measurement data and output onegroup of measurement data, according to the information input by theuser. If the user wants to input one group of measurement data andoutput one group of measurement data, then in step S1903 the programinvoking sub-module 522 invokes the one input/one output program.Otherwise, in step S1905 the program invoking sub-module 522 determineswhether the user wants to input more than one group of measurement dataand output more than one group of measurement data, according to theinformation input by the user. If the user wants to input more than onegroup of measurement data and output more than one group of measurementdata, then in step S1907 the program invoking sub-module 522 invokes themultiple input/multiple output program. Otherwise, in step S1909 theprogram invoking sub-module 522 determines whether the user wants toinput more than one group of measurement data and output a group ofmeasurement data which is most different from design dimensions(“worst”), according to the information input by the user. If the userwants to input more than one group of measurement data and output agroup of measurement data which is most different from designdimensions, then in step S1911 the program invoking sub-module 522invokes the multiple input/worst output program. Otherwise, in stepS1913 the program invoking sub-module 522 advises the user to inputrelevant information which the process programs can process.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of details of step S1807 of FIG. 18, namelychanging non-text format measurement data into text format measurementdata that is in accordance with a format of the CAD drawing. Firstly, instep S2001, the attribute changing module 524 retrieves columnsrecording the measurement data and the figure numbers. In step S2003,the attribute changing module 524 sets up a loop from one to infinity,and operates the loop. In step S2005, for each loop value, the attributechanging module 524 determines whether a value in the current figurenumber column whose number is equal to the loop value is void. If thevalue is void, then the loop is terminated. If the value is not void,then in step S2007 the attribute changing sub-module 524 retrieves theattributes of the measurement datum corresponding to the figure number.In step S2009, the attribute changing sub-module 524 determines whethera classification attribute of the measurement datum is text. If theclassification attribute of the measurement datum is text, then theattribute changing sub-module 524 runs a next loop according to stepS2003 and the following applicable steps. Otherwise, in step S2011 theattribute changing sub-module 524 changes a format of the measurementdatum into text format. In step S2013, the attribute changing sub-module524 determines whether a value in a next figure number column whosenumber is equal to the loop value is void. If the value is not void,then the attribute changing sub-module 524 returns to step S2007 andcontinues to operate according to the applicable above-described steps.If the value is void, then the loop is terminated.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of details of step S1809 of FIG. 18, namelyretrieving attributes of figure units in the CAD drawing. Firstly, instep S2101, the attribute retrieving sub-module 525 sets up a figureunit loop for enumerating all figure units in the CAD drawing, and thenoperates the loop. When a figure unit is enumerated, in step S2103 theattribute retrieving sub-module 525 determines whether the figure unitis a block. If the figure unit is a block, then in step S2105 theattribute retrieving sub-module 525 retrieves block attributes, anX-axis ordinate value and a Y-axis ordinate value of the figure unit. Ifthe figure unit is not a block, then in step S2107 the attributeretrieving sub-module 525 determines whether the figure unit issingle-line text. If the figure unit is single-line text, then in stepS2105 the attribute retrieving sub-module 525 retrieves single-line textattributes, an X-axis ordinate value and a Y-axis ordinate value of thefigure unit. If the figure unit is not single-line text, then in stepS2109 the attribute retrieving sub-module 525 determines whether thefigure unit is multi-line text. If the figure unit is multi-line text,then in step S2105 the attribute retrieving sub-module 525 retrievesmulti-line text attributes, an X-axis ordinate value and a Y-axisordinate value of the figure unit. If the figure unit is not multi-linetext, then in step S2111 the attribute retrieving sub-module 525determines whether the figure unit is marked dimensions. The markeddimensions comprise radial dimensions, diametric dimensions and angulardimensions. If the figure unit is marked dimensions, then in step S2105the attribute retrieving sub-module 525 retrieves marked dimensionattributes, an X-axis ordinate value and a Y-axis ordinate value of thefigure unit. Once the attributes, X-axis ordinate value and Y-axisordinate value of any figure unit are retrieved, in step S2113 theattribute retrieving sub-module 525 determines whether the attributesmeet a predetermined demand. In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the predetermined demand is that classification attributes ofthe figure unit are digital, and that the value of the figure unit isless than 5000. If the attributes of the figure unit meet the demand,then in step S2115 the attribute retrieving sub-module 525 inputs theattributes, the X-axis ordinate value and the Y-axis ordinate value ofthe figure unit into columns A, B and C respectively in an attributesheet of the Excel book. If the attributes of the figure unit do notmeet the demand, then in step S2117 the attribute retrieving sub-module525 inputs the attributes, the X-axis ordinate value and the Y-axisordinate value of the figure unit into columns D, E and F respectivelyin the attribute sheet of the Excel book. Then the attribute retrievingsub-module 525 returns to step S2101 and enumerates a next figure unitin the CAD drawing according to the figure unit loop.

In step S2111, if the figure unit is not marked dimensions, then in stepS2119 the attribute retrieving sub-module 525 ascertains whether thereis another figure unit in the CAD drawing. If there is another figureunit in the CAD drawing, then in step S2101 again the attributeretrieving sub-module 525 enumerates a next figure unit in the CADdrawing. Otherwise, the procedure of retrieving attributes of figureunits in the CAD drawing is completed.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of details of step S1811 of FIG. 18, namelydetermining measurement data to be output. Firstly, in step S2201, theanalyzing and calculating sub-module 526 retrieves the attributes of thefigure units in the attribute sheet of the Excel book and themeasurement data obtained by the information gathering sub-module 521.In step S2203, the analyzing and calculating sub-module 526 sets a loopfrom one to infinity, and operates the loop. In step S2205, theanalyzing and calculating sub-module 526 determines whether a figurenumber value in the first column in the measurement sheet of the Excelbook is void. If the value is void, then the loop is terminated. If thevalue is not void, then in step S2207 the analyzing and calculatingsub-module 526 determines whether an integer part of the measurementdatum in the first column is equal to an attribute value of any figureunit. In the preferred embodiment, all attribute values are respectivelypre-set according to the design dimensions of the object. If the integerpart of the measurement datum in the first column is equal to anattribute value of any figure unit, then in step S2209 the analyzing andcalculating sub-module 526 determines whether the tolerance of themeasurement datum is void. If the tolerance of the measurement datum isvoid, then the loop is terminated. If the tolerance of the measurementdatum is not void, then in step S2211 the analyzing and calculatingsub-module 526 determines that the measurement datum is to be output tothe CAD drawing, and stores the measurement datum to a variableI=I+CH(10)+CH(13) in a preliminary measurement sheet of the Excel book.In this formula, ‘I’ represents the measurement datum, ‘CH(10)’represents a space, and ‘CH(13)’ represents an “enter” operation. Afterstoring the measurement datum, in step S2213, the analyzing andcalculating sub-module 526 checks whether a next measurement datum is aninteger. If the next measurement datum is an integer, then the procedureis completed. Otherwise, the analyzing and calculating sub-module 526checks the next measurement datum according to step S2203 and theapplicable foregoing steps.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of details of step S1813 of FIG. 18, namelyoutputting measurement data to the CAD drawing. Firstly, in step S2301,the dimension data outputting sub-module 527 retrieves a measurementdatum from the preliminary measurement sheet of the Excel book. In stepS2303, the dimension data outputting sub-module 527 obtains certainpredetermined attributes of the measurement datum to be output. Suchpredetermined attributes include color of lead line, color ofmeasurement datum, and color of any measurement that exceeds a designtolerance. In step S2305, the dimension data outputting sub-module 527sets a lead line beside a figure unit that is to have the measurementdatum input thereto. In step S2307, the dimension data outputtingsub-module 527 outputs the measurement datum of the figure unitdetermined by the analyzing and calculating sub-module 526 to a regionat an end of the lead line. In step S2309, the dimension data outputtingsub-module 527 determines whether the measurement of the figure unitexceeds a tolerance of the design dimension thereof. If the measurementof the figure unit exceeds the tolerance of the design dimensionthereof, then in step S2311 the dimension data outputting sub-module 527changes a color of the measurement to the predetermined color that indicates that the tolerance is exceeded. Otherwise, in step S2313 thedimension data outputting sub-module 527 checks whether there is anothermeasurement datum in the preliminary measurement sheet of the Excelbook. If there is another measurement datum in the preliminarymeasurement sheet of the Excel book, then the dimension data outputtingsub-module 527 retrieves the measurement datum from the preliminarymeasurement sheet of the Excel book according to step S2301 and theapplicable foregoing steps. Otherwise, the procedure is completed.

Although only preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications to the preferred embodiments arepossible without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modificationsare deemed to be covered by the following claims and allowableequivalents of the claims.

1. A system for capturing dimensions of an object from at least one graphic file of the object, the system comprising: a graphic file management center, comprising: a graphic file classifying module for classifying the at least one graphic file; and a graphic file updating module for determining whether the at least one graphic file meets a predetermined demand; a graphic file processing center, comprising: a data collecting module for capturing dimensions from the at least one graphic file obtained from the graphic file management center; and a data outputting module for determining a particular format in which the captured dimensions are to be stored, and outputting the captured dimensions; and a dimension management center for checking whether the captured dimensions are valid, and storing the captured dimensions in the determined format.
 2. The dimension capturing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined demand comprises a version demand.
 3. The dimension capturing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data collecting module comprises an information receiving sub-module, for obtaining data input by users which are used to determine attributes of dimensions to be captured.
 4. The dimension capturing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data collecting module comprises an attribute obtaining sub-module for selecting from the at least one graphic file those figure units whose attributes are in accordance with a pre-requested attribute.
 5. The dimension capturing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pre-requested attribute is that any classification attribute is digital.
 6. The dimension capturing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data collecting module comprises a dimension obtaining sub-module for determining dimensions which are respectively closest to figure numbers in the at least one graphic file, and for outputting the determined dimensions.
 7. The dimension capturing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dimension management center comprises a dimension receiving module for receiving the captured dimensions output from the data outputting module.
 8. The dimension capturing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dimension management center comprises a dimension checking module for checking whether the captured dimensions have errors.
 9. A method for capturing dimensions of an object from at least one graphic file of the object, the method comprising the steps of: (a) retrieving the at least one graphic file of the object; (b) determining whether the at least one graphic file meets a predetermined demand; (c) capturing dimensions from the at least one graphic file if the at least one graphic file meets the predetermined demand; (d) checking whether the captured dimensions are valid; (e) advising a user to correct the captured dimensions if the captured dimensions are invalid; and (f) otherwise, storing the captured dimensions.
 10. The dimension capturing method as claimed in claim 9, wherein step (b) further comprises the step of: informing a user to modify the at least one graphic file, if the at least one graphic file does not meet the predetermined demand.
 11. The dimension capturing method as claimed in claim 9, wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of: (c1) obtaining data input by a user, which are used to determine attributes of dimensions to be captured; (c2) obtaining figure numbers and dimensions from the at least one graphic file; (c3) calculating minimum distances between each of the figure numbers and any of the design dimensions; and (c4) outputting the minimum distances and respective related figure numbers and design dimensions.
 12. The dimension capturing method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the predetermined demand comprises a version demand.
 13. A method of capturing dimensions of an object from at least one graphic file of the object, comprising steps of: providing a graphic file management center, comprising: a graphic file classifying module for classifying the at least one graphic file; and a graphic file updating module for determining whether the at least one graphic file meets a predetermined demand; providing a graphic file processing center comprising: a data collecting module for capturing dimensions from the at least one graphic file obtained from the graphic file management center; and a data outputting module for determining a text form in which the captured dimensions are to be stored, and outputting the captured dimensions; and providing a dimension management center for checking whether the captured dimensions are valid, and storing the captured dimensions in the text form. 